The Florida Lottery is bringing its 25th anniversary party to locally-owned Hudson Food Stores at the Chevron on U.S. Highway 19/North Young Boulevard, which is also a 25-year partner with the Lottery.

The event at 1904 N. Young Blvd. in Chiefland, will is Friday, March 1, from 3 to 6 p.m. Customers can participate in the event that features a Spin-to-Win wheel, where players who spend $10 on any Lottery product, can spin the wheel for a chance to win Scratch-Off tickets or Florida Lottery merchandise.

The event today carries some importance as the Lottery officials announced today that the state will be joining the MegaMillions multi-state lottery.

“I am very proud of the partnerships we have enjoyed with our retailers over the years,” said Florida Lottery Secretary Cynthia O’Connell. “We could not possibly fund education to the extent we do without retailers like Hudson Food Stores, who help promote and sell our products every day.”

Hudson Food Stores has generated more than $30 million dollars in Lottery ticket sales, resulting in more than $8 million transferred to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund since 2000. A $25 million LOTTO ticket was sold at one of its locations in October of 2007.

"Our 25-year partnership with the Florida Lottery has served us well in our overall sales and our support of education,” said James Smith, CEO of Hudson Food Stores. “The Lottery and our outstanding employees, many whom have been with us for 25 years, are integral parts of the store offerings we are proud to have available to our customers."

Hudson Food Stores, a three-generation convenience and gas company, began selling Lottery tickets on Jan. 12, 1988. Hudson Food Stores currently has 10 locations across three counties, and has the distinction of being one of the only continuous ownership Lottery retailers in North Florida, with the longest continuous payroll in Levy County.